The Devils, playing out the season with three games remaining, held a morning skate today at Prudential Center.

Defenseman Mark Fayne was the only player who did not participate.

Coach Pete DeBoer said Monday he would like to get backup goalie Johan Hedberg into a game. General manager Lou Lamoriello indicated Ilya Kovalchuk would play all three games but captain Bryce Salvador has been shut down for the season with a severely bruised right thumb and wrist.

Martin Brodeur will start tonight against the Canadiens and he will almost certainly play Saturday's finale against the Rangers, so if Hedberg gets into a game it would probably be against the Penguins Thursday night.

The Devils have brought in some Albany (AHL) players, Jon Merril and Reid Boucher were in the stands to watch the morning skate. Neither Boucher nor Merrill can play in the NHL this season.

Harri Pesonen, Mike Sislo and Eric Gelinas were recalled from Albany, but did not take part in the skate.